yasuke season 2

Yasuke Season 2: Is There Hope for a Sequel? What’s Next?

Yasuke is an action and fantasy anime series that debuted on Netflix in spring 2021. Created by LeSean Thomas, who also worked on Cannon Busters, the series has generated debates about whether it should be classified as an anime or an animated series. Regardless, Yasuke stands out as a product of extensive creative efforts.

LeSean Thomas first announced the series in 2018, and it premiered three years later, showcasing the dedication that went into its creation. The animation is handled by the famous animation studio MAPPA, known for hits like Jujutsu Kaisen and Dorohedoro, both also available on Netflix. The first season, consisting of six episodes, was released on April 29, 2021, as a Netflix-licensed production. Now, over four years later, fans are still eagerly awaiting news about a potential second season of the anime. What happened to the series, and any possibility of returning?

What is the Plotline of the Anime?

Once known as the Black Samurai, Yasuke is a former warrior who has left behind his violent past. He now lives as a peaceful boatman, but his quiet life is disrupted when he takes in a young girl with mysterious magical powers. Set in an alternative version of 16th-century feudal Japan, where advanced technology and magic coexist, the story follows Yasuke’s journey as he becomes entangled in a world of conflict once again.

The series takes place in a reimagined Japan, where Yasuke, a warrior, witnesses the downfall of Oda Nobunaga in the battle against the warlord Yami no Daimyō’s army at Honnō-ji.

Twenty years later, Yasuke has abandoned his legendary status as the “Black Samurai” and has retired to a secluded village, where he goes by the name Yassan. His peaceful life is upended when he encounters Ichika, a local singer, and a sick boy named Saki, who possesses extraordinary powers. After a violent attack, Yasuke is tasked by Ichika with escorting the boy to a doctor. In the process, Yasuke finds himself caught in a dangerous power struggle while trying to protect the girl and boy from those who seek to control them.

yasuke
The Picture: @Netflix – Trailer / YouTube

What is Expected from a Second Season of Yasuke?

A second season of Yasuke could delve even deeper into the protagonist’s inner journey, exploring his sense of purpose after the fall of Oda Nobunaga. Themes of redemption, identity, and belonging would remain central, as Yasuke continues to navigate a world that constantly challenges his resolve. His unique position as a foreign samurai in feudal Japan offers rich opportunities for exploring historical and cultural dynamics, potentially introducing new allies or adversaries shaped by these contexts.

The mysterious powers of Saki, the young girl Yasuke protects, could also become a central storyline. A follow-up season might uncover the origins and significance of her abilities, tying them to larger forces that threaten the balance of the fantastical world. Additionally, new threats—whether from rival warlords, supernatural entities, or political conspiracies—could emerge, driving Yasuke into fresh conflicts that challenge both his strength and leadership.

Fans of Yasuke are eagerly anticipating a second season, hoping for a deeper exploration of the series’ unique blend of historical fiction and fantasy.

Will there be a second season of Yasuke?

As of January 2, 2025, at the time of writing, Netflix, Mappa, or LeSean Thomas have not yet renewed the anime for a second season. The fact that the anime has been broadcast on Netflix globally and has a successful name behind it kept hopes alive for the second season. On the other hand, anime already enjoyed strong popularity. Hopeful signals were given for the second season from the anime’s Twitter page. The anime team was saying this is just an introduction and their bigger goal. In interviews following the release, creator LeSean Thomas expressed optimism about continuing the story, stating, “I can’t say too much, but the response has been really great and it would be great to become more than what it is.”

While the anime hasn’t been renewed, a second volume of the Yasuke manga was released recently, continuing the story and fueling excitement among manga fans. Despite this, the manga’s volume has yet to be adapted into an anime season, and with the considerable gap of almost two years since the manga’s release and the first season’s debut, TV Series fan interest has understandably waned.

Given the long gap since the first season aired, LeSean Thomas’s focus on new projects, and the shifting dynamics surrounding Yasuke‘s popularity, it seems unlikely that a second season will materialize. The series is no longer generating the same level of buzz it once did, and with Thomas now turning his attention to other creative endeavors, the future of Yasuke appears uncertain. While a follow-up season would have been exciting for fans, the combination of factors suggests that a second season is no longer expected, leaving Yasuke as a unique, but incomplete, chapter in the world of anime.

LeSean Thomas Hints About New Projects

During a talk at the Japan Society in New York on November 27, 2024, LeSean Thomas shared intriguing insights into upcoming projects, though the specifics remain under wraps. Thomas revealed that he has a new project in the works for Netflix—the platform that helped bring Yasuke and Cannon Busters to life.

Thomas noted that while Netflix faced challenges post-COVID, the streaming service is beginning to recover, and he remains optimistic about future opportunities. He emphasized the importance of platforms like Netflix in democratizing global storytelling, noting that series like Squid Game would have never emerged from traditional Hollywood studios.

Though the details of his new project are still unclear, Thomas’s history of pushing creative boundaries suggests that his next endeavor will continue to blend genres and elevate diverse voices in animation. Fans are excited to see how this new project will contribute to his mission of breaking industry norms and expanding representation in animated content.

As Thomas continues to shape the future of animation, his upcoming projects are poised to be as bold and innovative as the work that has made him a key figure in global animation.